Filling valves for liquefied gas lighters



c. ZELLWEGER FILLING VALVES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS April 21, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1'7, 1955 6 o Z/AAA/A/AAA/A 'INVENTOR Conrad Zellwe @1- BY a W ATTORNEY Apnl 21, 1959 c. ZELLWEGER FILLING VALVES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS Filed Aug. 17, 1955 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 (NVENTOR Col-crud Zellwec a'er BY w W ATTORNEY United States Patent 9 FILLING VALVES FOR LIQUEFIED GAS LIGHTERS Conrad Zellweger, Pregny-Geneva, Switzerland, assignor to La Nationale S.A., Geneva, Switzerland, 21 corporation of Switzerland Application August 17, 1955, Serial No. 528,885

Claims priority, application Switzerland August 28, 195.4

16 Claims. (Cl. 141-293) In my prior US. application Serial No. 341,881, filed March 12, 1953, and which issued on June 14, 1955, as US. Patent No. 2,710,506, and which re-issued on June 5, 1956, as US. Patent Re. 24,163, certain forms of liquified gas fueled lighter are disclosed, wherein filling valves for the fuel reservoir are provided with inlet conduits, and also with outlet conduits, so that the reservoir is in communication with the outer air during the fuel charging operation, thus allowing a certain amount of fuel in gaseous form to escape from the fuel reservoir during the fuel charging operation. The present invention in one of its aspects pertains to a species of the broader invention disclosed in said prior application, which species differs in construction from any of the forms specifically disclosed in said prior application.

The gas most frequently used for filling lighters of this type is liquified butane, of which the co-eflicient of expansion is very high, as it is 2% of its volume for an increase of 10 C.

During the filling of the lighter, the temperature of the gas contained in the reservoir and that of the casing of the lighter itself decreases substantially below the surrounding temperature by reason of the evaporation of a portion of fuel which may escape through the exhaust passage. When the contents of the reservoir of the lighter return to the degree of the surrounding temperature, the liquid fuel expands. Thus, when the reservoir has been charged up with fuel, and unless precautions are taken to prevent, the hydrostatic pressure created within the casing may become such as to cause deformation or fracture of the reservoir.

In another of its aspects the invention relates'to the provision of improved means for avoiding the complete filling of the fuel reservoir with fuel in liquid form, and assuring the maintenance of a gaseous cushion so to speak, in the fuel reservoir, particularly upon completion of the fuel charging operation, which cushion will allow the volume of the liquid contents of the reservoir to increase without risk of objectionably high hydrostatic pressures as mentioned above.

Several forms of construction of the subject of the invention are shown diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in perspective a lighter in the filling position, the filling vessel being shown only in part.

Fig. 2 shows an axial section of a first form of construction, the filling vessel being introduced into the opening of the valve, the latter being shown in the closed position.

Fig. 3 is a partial view of the valve, partly open.

Fig. 4 is a partial view of a modified form of construction.

Fig. 5 is a view of a second form of construction, similar to that of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6 and 7 are views in axial section of a third and fourth form of construction respectively.

2,882,940 Patented Apr. 21, 1959 In the figures of the drawings the same reference numerals relate to corresponding parts.

With reference to Fig. 1, a lighter is provided at the bottom of its reservoir 1 with a filling opening, in which is located a stationary part 2 of a valve, the neck 3 of a filling vessel 4 being introduced into said opening. Said figure shows the position for filling the lighter.

Fig. 2 shows that the stationary part 2 of the valve is cylindrical and screwed into the part 5 of the wall of the reservoir. Said part has a screw threaded interior 6 for a closing plug, not shown. On the other hand, said part comprises an internal circular projection 7, beyond which is formed a seating 8 for a fluidtight member 9, of which the outer face is covered at its edge by a flange 10. Said part 9 is cylindrical and of quadrangular crosssection, with right angles.

The movable part 11 of the valve passes through the central opening of the part 9. It is cylindrical and forced resiliently by the latter on a portion of its length. The movable part 11 comprises a head 12 projecting from the body 2 and of larger diameter than the part passing through the part 9 in such a manner as to form a shoulder 13 located opposite the outer face of the part 9.

The part 11 also carries a nut 14 provided with a circular projection 15 on which rests one end of a spring 16, the other end thereof bearing against the projection 7 of the stationary part 2. A free space is provided be tween the projection15 and the body 2.

Said spring tends to press the shoulder 13 against the outer face of the part 9 which forms itsseat.

The head 12 is provided in its shoulder 13 with a circular groove 17 connected by a bore 18 to a passage 19 leading into the interior of the emtpy space containing the spring 16.

The movable part 11' carries a hollow needle 20, adapted to pierce the closure plug 4a of resilient material for the filling vessel 4.

By reason of the pressure applied by the closure member 4:: on the needle 20, the fiuidtightness of the joint between the reservoir of the lighter and the filling vessel 4, is ensured.

A bore 21 opening on the portion of the part 11 forced resiliently by the fluidtight part 9 is connected to the passage of the needle. The opening of said bore is located at a distance from the edge of the fluidtight memher 9 which is sufiicient so that during the axial movement of the movable part, from its closing position, its circular shoulder 13 is withdrawn from the face of the fluidtight member 9, before the connecting bore 21 of the hollow passage of the needle is uncovered.

In this form of construction the inlet passage for gas is formed by a hollow needle 20, the bore 21 and the annular space existing between the member 9' and the shoulder 13, when the latter is raised from its seat.

The connecting portion of the inlet passage is formed by the bore 21.

The exhaust passage is formed by the annular spaces located between the member 9- and the shoulder 13, when the latter is raised from its seat, the circular groove 17, the bore 18, the passage 19 and the empty space of the stationary part 2.

The connecting part of the exhaust passage is formed by the groove 17, the bore 18 and the passage 19.

The cross-sectional areas of the said inlet and exhaust passages are so selected that the delivery of the inlet passage is smaller than that of the exhaust passage so that it is not possible to exceed thelevel of, filling determined by thev height of the opening of the outlet pipe in. the

reservoir.

1 The operation of this form of construction is as folows:

The valve being in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 2, then, for filling the reservoir 1 of the lighter, the neck 3 of the vessel 4 is introduced into the fixed part of the valve and pressure is applied to the vessel so that the hollow needle 20 perforates its closure (as shown in the drawings).

The liquefied gas can then penetrate through the hollow needle 20 up to the bore 21 which is closed by the fluidtight member 9.

By compressing the spring 16, the shoulder 13 .is first withdrawn from the head 12 of the outer face of the member 9. The interior of the reservoir 1 of the lighter is then connected through the free space between the shoulder 13 and the face of the fluidtight member 9, the groove 17, the bore 18 and the passage 19 into the outer air by the part 2 (position shown in Fig. 3).

By continuing the application of pressure on the movable part 11, the opening of the bore 21 is brought above the edge of the member 9. At this moment the vessel 4 is connected through the needle 20. the bore 21. the free space between the member 9 and the shoulder 13. to the interior of the reservoir 1 and the filling takes place until the level of liquid in the reservoir reaches the height of the shoulder 13. The liquid then enters the groove 17 and the bore 18. and it flows through the passage 19 towards the inlet of the filling opening. There thus remains in the reservoir 1 a space free of liquid corresponding substantially to the level of the stationary part 2 of the valve. It will be observed that the opening of the exhaust passage in the interior of the reservoir of the lighter is located at a point spaced from the wall of the reservoir carrying the valve.

On releasing the pressure applied to the movable part 11 against the action of the spring 16, the latter firstly produces the closing of the inlet passage 21 and then that of the exhaust passage 17, 18. 19.

It will be seen that in this form of construction, the inlet and exhaust passages both lead into a large common openin in the interior of the reservoir.

This opening is formed by the free circular space between the shoulder 13 and the outer face of the fluidtight member 9.

Fig. 4 shows a modified form of construction in which the bore 18 leads, like the bore 21, to the part of the member 11 clamped by the member 9. However, the two bores 18 and 21 are located in different planes so that. by axial movement of the movable part, the bore 18 is uncovered before the bore 21.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 5, the arrangement of the members of the valve is, in principle. the same as in the form of construction according to Fig. 2. However, in this case the valve is provided for co-operation with a filling vessel 4, provided with a closure valve 40. subjected to the action of a spring 41, which presses it against a fluidtight lining 42 located in the opening of the neck 3.

The difference between the valve shown in Fig. 2 and that shown in Fig. 5 resides in the fact that the movable part 11 is provided with a tubular extension 11a adapted to receive the neck 3 of the filling vessel, a fluidtight lining 43 being located in the bottom of the said extension.

The needle 20 is replaced by a tube 20a having a notch 20b at its end.

The operation of this form of construction is in principle the same as that described in connection with the first form of construction, except that the connection between the filling vessel 4 and the reservoir 1 of the lighter is efiected through the valve 40 and the tube 20a, fluidtightness being ensured by the lining 20b. In fact, when introducing the neck 3 of the filling vessel 4 into the tubular part 11a, the body of the valve 40 comes into contact with the tube 20a, which causes said body to be ance between the two parts.

raised from its seat 42. The end of the neck 3 then comes into contact with the lining 43 and ensures fluidtightness of the connection between the neck 3 and the tube 20a. By continuing to apply pressure on the vessel 4, the spring of the valve 16 is compressed, thereby provoking the opening of said latter (position shown in the drawing) the operation then being the same as described with reference to Fig. 2.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 6, the stationary part 2 of the valve is formed in the same manner as in the first form of construction, with a circular internal projection 7. Said latter serves as a support for a fluidtight member 9, formed by a ring of rectangular crosssection. As in the first form of construction, said ring is fitted into a seating 8 of the body 2 and its outer edge is covered by a shoulder 10 of a plug 10a screwed on the body 2. It is not provided with a screw thread for the plug (not shown) adapted to cover the opening containing the needle 20. t

The movable part 11 carrying the hollow needle 20 15 formed by a cylindrical part passing through the central opening of the fluidtight member 9 with a predetermined amount of clearance providing an annular clear- Said part 11 is provided with a. circular projection 15 on which rests one end of a spring 16 of which the other end bears against the projection 7.

The needle 20 extends into a recess 22 of the part 11, at the open end of which is formed a seating 23 for an annular fluidtight member 24, of which the outer face is covered by a flange 25 of a sleeve 26 screwed on to the part 11 and of which the edge 27 is pressed against the member 9 by the action of the spring 16.

In the recess 22 is located a valve 28, subjected to the action of a spring 29 which presses it against the fluidtight member 24. Said valve has a part 30 projecting to the outside of the movable part 11. The cap 10a, screwed on the body 2, is provided beyond the shoulder 10 with 7 voir 1 of the lighter is then in communication with the outside through the openings 10b of the cap 10a, the

annular spaces between the edge 27 of the sleeve 26 and the member 9, and between said latter and the movable part 11, which with the free space of the stationary part I 2, form the exhaust passage.

By continuing the compression of the spring 16, the projection 30 of the valve 28 abuts against the bottom 10c of the cap 10a whereby the valve is lifted from its seat 24. The liquefied gas can then pass into the reservoir 1 of the lighter through the hollow needle 20, the

recess 22, the free space between the valve 28 and its seat 24, and the openings 10b, which form the inlet passage. The filling is possible until the liquid reaches the level of the shoulder 10 that is to say the opening of the exhaust passage. From this moment it is discharged through the outlet passage to the outside, so that in the reservoir 1 there is provided a space free from liquid corresponding with the distance between the shoulder 10 and the bottom of the reservoir. In this case also, it will be seen that the opening of the outlet passage in the interior of the reservoir of the lighter is at a point spaced from the wall provided with the valve.

When reducing the pressure applied to the spring 16, the inlet passage for gas is closed first, and thereupon the escape passage.

In this form of construction the connecting portion of the inlet passage is formed by the body of the valve 28 and: that of the exhaustpassage by the edge 27 of the sleeve 26;

The fourth form of construction shown in Fig. 7 is similar. to that shown in Fig. 6, and the same reference numerals in this figure refer. to corresponding parts, described inthe preceding example.

The fluidtight members 9a and 24a are in this case of circular cross-section. The first rests on a washer 7a through which. the movable part 11 passes with a predetermined amount of clearance, thus leaving an open annular. space between said parts. The washer 7a is screwed: into. the stationary part 2. The movable part carries a nut 14. with a circular projection 15, and the spring 16 is-.located between said latter and the washer 7a. The seating 8 for the member. 9a, in the body 2, has a rounded wall.

The, movable part 11 has a conical portion 13a which comes. into engagement with the member 9a, and it contains, as in the construction in Fig. 6, a valve 28 actuated by a spring 29, andisprovided with an external proiection. 30. The fluidtight member 24a is maintained in aseating 23a with a rounded surface, by a nut 32 screwed into the, end of the recess 22.

The valve 28 has a conical portion 28a which comes intoengagement with the member 24a.

The operation is the same as that of the form of construction shown in Fig. 6.

In this form of construction the inlet passage is formed by a hollow needle 20, the recess 22, the free space between the valve 28 and its seat 24a and the openings 10b. The connecting part is formed by the valve 28.

The exhaust passage is formed by the openings 10b, the free space between the conical part 13a and the member 9a, the free space between the movable part 11 and the washer 7a and the empty space of the fixed part 2. The connecting part is formed by the conical part 13a.

In all the forms. of construction described, the inlet and exhaust. passages are dimensioned as described with reference to Fig. 2.

I claim:

1-. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure: and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried. by the casing. and. affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casingand having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted. to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage extending. therethrough. from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said. outer portion includingv a part engageable with a filling container to afford a flow of fuel from such a container to said fuel charging. passage, said fuel charging meansbeing constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage affording the outward escape of gas therethrough to the outer air during charging, said fuel charging means also including sealing means activated during movement of said. inner. valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means.

providing a seal againstthe flow of fuel through the passage in. said inner valve member into said reservoir whensaid inner valve member is. in closed position, and also providing a seal against. the flow. of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when said inner valve member is. in closed. position; said. sealing means affording. communication. through the passage in saidinnervalve member into said reservoir when said inner valve member is in. open. position, and also. affording communication, from said reservoir through said escape passage tov the outer air when said inner valve member. is in open. position, the aforesaidv inner valve.

member being mounted. to. afford substantially rectilinear sliding movement thereof inwardly. and outwardly with.

'6 respect to said outer valve member, whereby said inner valve member slides with respect to said outer valve member in moving between the aforesaid open and closed positions of said inner valve member, and a spring urging said inner valve member toward its aforesaid closed position.

2. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage extending therethrough from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said outer portion including a part engageable with a filling container to afford a flow of fuel from such a container to said fuel charging passage, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage affording the outward escape of gas. therethrough to the outer air during charging, said fuel charging means also including sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner portion of said passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve member is in closed position and also providing a seal against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing means affording communication between the inner portion of said passage through the inner valve member and said reservoir when said inner valve member is in open position and also affording communication from said reservoir through said escape passage to the outer air when said inner valve member is in open position, the aforesaid inner valve member being mounted to afford substantially rectilinear sliding movement thereof inwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer valve member, whereby said inner valve member slides with respect to said outer valve member in moving between the aforesaid open and closed positions of said innervalve member, and a spring urging said inner valv member toward its aforesaid closed position.

3. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member including a hollow needle protruding outwardly from the body of said valve member into said socket, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage therein which extends from the protruding portion of said needle through an inner portion of said inner valve member, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide a passage extending out-. wardly through said socket between said inner and outer valve members to afford the outward escape of gas through said last mentioned passage to the outer air during charging, sealing means activated during move-- ment of said inner valve member between closed and. open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the. inner portion of said first mentioned passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve. is in closed position, and also providing a seal against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when.

said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealmg means affording communication between said reservoir and the inner portion of said first mentioned passage through the inner valve member when said inner valve member is in open position, and also affording communication between said reservoir and said escape passage when said inner valve is in open position, the aforesaid inner valve member being mounted to afiord substantially rectilinear sliding movement thereof inwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer valve member, whereby said inner valve member slides with respect to said outer valve member in moving between the aforesaid open and closed positions of said inner valve member, and a spring urging said inner valve member toward its aforesaid closed position.

4. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage affording the outward escape of gas therethrough from said reservoir to the outer air during charging and also to provide inward passage of liquified gas therethrough into said reservoir during charging, in a path dilferent from the path of said outwardly escaping gas, said inner valve member having an outer portion provided with a part engageable with a filling container to afford flow of fuel from such a container to said inward passage, said fuel charging means including sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner portions of said passages against communication with said fuel reservoir and also against communication with each other when said inner valve member is in closed position, said sealing means opening communication from said reservoir through each of said passages when said inner valve member is in open position, the aforesaid inner valve member being mounted to afford substantially rectilinear sliding movement thereof inwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer valve member, whereby said inner valve member slides with respect to said outer valve member in moving between the aforesaid open and closed positions of said inner valve member, and a spring urging said inner valve member toward its aforesaid closed position.

5. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member having a fuel charg ing passage extending therethrough from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said outer portion including a part engageable with a filling container to afford a flow of fuel from such a container to said fuel charging passage, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage alfording the outward escape of gas therethrough to the outer air during charging, said fuel charging means also including sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means providing a seal against the flow of fuel through the passage in said inner valve member into saidreservoir when said inner valve member is in closed position, and also providing a seal against the flow of' fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when saidinner valve'member is in closed position; said sealing means affording communication through the passage in said inner valve member into said reservoir when said inner valve member is in open position, and also affording communication from said reservoir through said escape passage to the outer air when said inner valve member is in open position, the aforesaid valve members, fuel charging passage and escape passage being constructed and arranged to open said escape passage prior to the opening of said fuel charging passage, and seal said fuel charging passage prior to the sealing of said escape passage.

6. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage extending therethrough from an outer portion to an inner portion thereof, said outer portion including a part engageable with a filling container to afford a flow of fuel from such a container to said fuel charging passage, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage affording the outward escape of gas therethrough to the outer air during charging, said fuel charging means also including sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner portion of said passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve member is in closed position and also providing a seal against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through said escape passage when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing means affording communication between the inner portion of said passage through the inner valve member and said reservoir when said inner valve member is in open position and also affording communication from said reservoir through said escape passage to the outer air when said inner valve member is in open position, the aforesaid valve members, fuel charging passage and escape passage being constructed and arranged to open said escape passage prior to the opening of said fuel charging passage, and seal said fuel charging passage prior to the sealing of said escape passage.

7. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said inner valve member including a hollow needle protruding outwardly from the body of said'valve member into said socket, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage therein which extends from the protruding portion of said needle through an inner portion of said inner valve member, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide a passage extending outwardly through said socket between said inner and outer valve members to afford the outward escape of gas through said last mentioned passage to the outer air during charging, sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve g member between closed and open positions, said last men tioned means sealing the inner portion of said first mentioned passage in said inner valve member from communication with said reservoir when said inner valve is in closed position, and also providing a seal against the flow of fuel outwardly from said reservoir through saidescape passage when said inner valve member is in closed position; said sealing means afiording communication between said reservoir and the inner portion of said first mentioned passage through the inner valve member when said inner valve member is in open position, and also affording communication between said reservoir and said escape passage when said inner valve is in open position, the aforesaid valve members, fuel charging passage and escape passage being constructed and arranged to open said escape passage prior to the opening of said fuel charging passage, and seal said fuel charging passage prior to the sealing of said escape passage.

8. A lighter constructed to be charged with liquified gas fuel under pressure and including in combination, a casing having therein a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquified gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means including an outer valve member fixed with respect to the casing and having therein a socket, an inner valve member mounted to move in said socket between open and closed positions as hereinafter set forth, said fuel charging means being constructed to provide an outwardly extending passage aifording the outward escape of gas therethrough from said reservoir to the outer air during charging and also to provide inward passage of liquified gas therethrough into said reservoir during charging, in a path different from the path of said outwardly escaping gas, said inner valve member having an outer portion provided with a part engageable with a filling container to afford flow of fuel from such a container to said inward passage, said fuel charging means including sealing means activated during movement of said inner valve member between closed and open positions, said last mentioned means sealing the inner portions of said passages against communication with said fuel reservoir and also against communication with each other when said inner valve member is in closed position, said sealing means opening communication from said reservoir through each of said passages when said inner valve member is in open position, the aforesaid valve members, fuel charging passage and escape passage being constructed and arranged to open said escape passage prior to the opening of said fuel charging passage, and seal said fuel charging passage prior to the sealing of said escape passage.

9. In a lighter constructed to be charged with liquid gas fuel under pressure from a container and including a casing having a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by a wall of the casing and affording simultaneous escape of gas from the reservoir and the charging thereof with liquefied gas fuel under pressure, said fuel charging means comprising an outer valve member having an outwardly opening socket and fixed with respect to the casing, the terminal portion of said member in the reservoir including an orifice spaced inwardly from said wall to define a gas cushioning chamber in the casing, sealing means in the orifice, an inner valve member mounted for reciprocal sliding movement in said socket and normally spring biased to close said orifice and to open said orifice under pressure of a liquid gas container manually inserted in the said socket, said inner valve member having a fuel charging passage extending therethrough from an outer to an inner portion thereof, and also having a passage affording the escape of gas from the cushioning chamber to the outer air during charging, means on the inner valve member normally cooperating with said sealing means in the orifice to prevent escape of gas to the outer air and said means together with the ment of said inner valve member first opening said orifice to connect the chamber and reservoir with the Outer air,

the continuing inward sliding movement of the inner valve member then establishing communication between the fuel charging passage and the reservoir until the liquid level therein reaches substantially the orifice of the outer valve member.

10. In a lighter constructed to be vented to the air while being charged with liquid gas fuel under pressure from a storage container, a casing having a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by a wall of the casing, said means including, an outer valve member fixed to. a wall of the casing and having an externally opening socket and an internal orifice spaced from the inner face of said wall to define a cushioning gas chamber in the casing, a valve seat in said orifice, an inner valve member mounted for sliding movement in the outer valve member and spring biased outwardly, said inner valve member including a body and a head having normal sealing engagement with said valve seat to close communication between the reservoir and the air, said inner valve member provided with an inlet passage having a port and also with an outlet passage, said inner valve member when. pressed inwardly by the storage container initially connecting the reservoir with the outlet passage and as inward pressure continues connecting said port with the reservoir until liquid gas reaches the orifice to trap gas in said chamber and flow through the outlet passage to signal that the reservoir is full.

11. In a lighter according to claim 10, wherein, the outer valve member has an internal annular rib at the inner end of the socket, and the outer body portion of the inner valve member has a flange, and a spring confined between the flange and the rib.

12. In a lighter according to claim 10, wherein the valve seat in the orifice of the outer valve member is resilient and the inner face of the head of the inner valvemember is provided inwardly of its periphery with an annular channel which is closed when the head is in contact with the seat, and, wherein, the body of the inner valve member is provided with an outlet passage communicating with said channel, and an inlet passage having a port closed by the valve seat until the inner valve member is moved inwardly far enough to cause said port to clear the valve seat.

13. In a lighter according to claim 10, wherein the outlet passage includes a portion parallel with the inlet passage and said parallel portion is connected with the channel by an angularly disposed bore.

14. In a lighter constructed to be vented to the air while being charged with liquid gas fuel under pressure from a storage container, including, a casing having a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by a wall of the casing, said fuel charging means, comprising, an outer valve member fixed to a wall of the casing and having an externally opening socket and an internal orifice spaced from the inner face of said wall to define a gas cushioning chamber in the casing, a valve seat in said orifice, an inner valve member mounted for sliding movement in the outer valve member and spring biased outwardly, said inner valve member including a body in normal sealing engagement with said valve seat to close communication between the reservoir and the air, the body of said inner valve including an upwardly extending tubular extension to receive the neck of the container, a resilient lining at the inner end of said extension, said inner valve member provided with an inlet passage having a port and also with an outlet passage, said inner valve member when pressed inwardly by manual pressure on the storage container initially connecting the reservoir with the outlet passage and as inward manual pressure on the container continues connecting said port with the reservoir until liquid gas reaches the orifice to trap gas 11 in said chamber and thereafter the gas flows through the outlet passage to signal that the reservoir is full.

15. In a lighter constructed to be vented to air while being charged with liquid gas fuel under pressure from a storage container, including, a casing having a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by a wall of the casing, said fuel charging means, comprising, an outer valve member fixed to a wall of the casing and having an externally opening socket and an internal orifice spaced from the inner face of said wall to define a gas chamber in the casing, an annular abutment in said socket, a valve seat in said orifice and having one side in engagement with said abutment, an inner valve member including a body having an inlet passage and slidable in but out of contact with the inner face of said valve seat to pro vide a portion of an exhaust passage leading to the atmosphere through said socket, a flange on the body, a spring confined between said flange and abutment normally to outwardly bias the inner valve member, a sleeve fitted over the inner end of the body and having its outer edge normally engageable with said valve seat and the inner end of the sleeve being turned inwardly, a Washer within said inturned edge of the body, an inlet valve in said inlet passage spring pressed toward said washer, a stem on said inlet valve projecting beyond the end of the sleeve, and a cage fitted to the outer valve member and having a transverse portion in the path of the stem, whereby, as initial manual pressure on the container unseats the edge of the sleeve from the valve seat the reservoir will be connected with the air, and continuing manual pressure on the container moves the valve stem to engage said transverse portion to unseat the inlet valve and connect the reservoir with the container while the reservoir is still vented to the air.

16. In a lighterconstructed to be vented to air while being charged with liquid gas fuel under pressure from a storage container, including, a casing having a fuel reservoir, and fuel charging means carried by a wall of the casing, said fuel charging means comprising, a tubular internally threaded outer valve member having an internal shoulder and fixed to a wall of the casing to provide a socket opening to the atmosphere and also having an internal orifice spaced from the inner face of said wall of the casing to define a gas chamber within the container, an annular abutment having external threads engaging the internally threaded portion of the outer valve member, an annular sealing member confined between said abutment and said shoulder, an inner valve member including a body slidable in said annular abutment and having a bore including different diameters providing a shoulder therebetween, a filling needle on the body communicating with said bore, a spring confined between a portion of the body of the inner valve member and the annular abutment normally to urge the inner valve member against said annular sealing member, a spring pressed inlet valve in the bore of the body, a stem on said inlet valve having one end extending beyond the inner valve member, a sealing member fitted to the said shoulder of the bore and providing a seat for said inlet valve, and a transverse member on the outer valve member and in the path of the stem, whereby, initial manual pressure on the container unseats the inner valve member relative to said sealing member to connect the reservoir with the air, and continuing pressure on the container moves the inlet valve stem to engage said transverse portion to unseat the inlet valve and connect the reservoir with the container while the reservoir is still vented to the air.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,163 Zellweger June 5, 1956 554,999 Fowler Feb. 18, 1896 620,877 Bassett Mar. 14, 1899 1,308,101 Oftedahl July 1, 1919 2,643,535 Strumbos June 30, 1953 2,644,630 Schroeder July 7, 1953 2,670,499 Wiegold Mar. 2, 1954 2,710,506 Zellweger June 14, 1955 2,714,805 Zellweger Aug. 9, 1955 2,769,325 Storch Nov. 6, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 677,327 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1952 

